By ASSOCIATED PRESS
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards returned from a three-game injury absence with 26 points and 12 rebounds, hitting the go-ahead 3-pointer with 38.5 seconds left to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Oklahoma City Thunder, 112-107, on Friday night, Dec. 19.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 35 points and seven assists for the Thunder (25-3), who lost for the second time in three games after starting 24-1 on the heels of their NBA championship last season.
Julius Randle had 19 points on just 3-for-15 shooting, but his missed free throw after a make with 53 seconds remaining allowed the Wolves to keep the ball down by two and set up Edwards for his clutch shot.
Edwards, who’s been managing soreness in his right foot, then grabbed a defensive rebound to set up two free throws by Randle and stole the ball from Gilgeous-Alexander on the ensuing possession to seal the victory.
Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid each scored 15 points and Rudy Gobert had 14 rebounds for the Wolves (18-10), who lost in five games to the Thunder in the Western Conference finals last spring.
With the beginning of the holiday break, a national broadcast and the defending champion Thunder in town, the atmosphere at Target Center was especially revved up — and so was Timberwolves coach Chris Finch. He was ejected midway through the first quarter after some non-calls he argued were fouls on the Thunder, restrained by his assistants and team security as he continued his vehement complaints at the officiating crew.
The first half was a particularly rough time for both rims, with the Wolves shooting 34% from the floor and the Thunder at just 39%. Even free throws were a game-long problem for the Wolves, making just 33 of a season-high 47 attempts.
Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama scored 26 points, Devin Vassell added 18, and the San Antonio Spurs spoiled the first of a five-game home stretch for Atlanta with a 126-98 win over the Hawks.
The win was the Spurs’ 20th of the season — a feat the team did not reach until Jan. 23 last season.
In his fourth game since returning from a calf injury that kept him sidelined for 12 games, Wembanyama added 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal. It was the center’s first double-double since San Antonio’s Nov. 14 loss to Golden State.
Vassell was 4 of 9 beyond the three-point arc.
The Spurs led for 47:27 of 48 minutes and were up 68-44 by halftime. San Antonio extended its lead to 102-72 by the end of the third quarter, and all of the starters were done for the night midway through the fourth.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 23 points in his return to the starting lineup. He was 7 of 9 from the foul line and 7 of 18 from the field.
Jalen Johnson, coming off a career-high 43-point performance against Charlotte, scored 17 points and added 11 rebounds. He led the Hawks with 13 points in the first quarter and solidified his 18th double-double of the season in the third quarter.
The Hawks rested Trae Young as they ease the All-Star guard back into game action after he missed 22 games with a sprained MCL. Young was held to eight points and contributed 10 assists in his first game since late October, a 133-126 loss to Charlotte on Thursday night.
Atlanta was also without Kristaps Porzingis, who will be sidelined for at least another week with an illness requiring further evaluation.
